author
William McKinley
1843–1901
A Civil War veteran who rose from Ohio politics to the White House, he led the United States through the Spanish-American War and into a new era of global power. His presidency ended suddenly after an assassination in 1901, leaving a lasting mark on American history.
3 Audiobooks
State of the Union Addresses
by William McKinley
About the author
Born in Niles, Ohio, in 1843, William McKinley served in the Union Army during the Civil War before studying law and building a political career in Ohio. He went on to serve in Congress, became governor of Ohio, and was elected the 25th president of the United States in 1896.
As president, McKinley was known for backing protective tariffs and for leading the country during the Spanish-American War in 1898. That conflict brought the United States new overseas territories and helped shift the nation toward a larger role in world affairs.
McKinley began a second term in 1901, but it was cut short when he was shot at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He died on September 14, 1901, and was succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt.